A year ago, Otis, a golden retriever born with severe hip dysplasia (HD), languished in pain and neglect, confined to a cage in Vadodara. Today, he enjoys a life of unparalleled comfort in Dubai, travelling by private jet and cherished by a family that treats him like their own child.
Rescued at just six months old by the Bowsome Senior Dogs India Foundation (BSDIF), Otis — then named Otto — was in a dire state. Malnourished, untrained, and suffering from grade-four HD, even walking was a challenge. “Otto’s condition was heartbreaking. For a six-month-old pup, he was incredibly frail, untrained, and hadn’t even been vaccinated or dewormed,” said Richa Singh, founder of BSDIF in Ahmedabad.
The foundation undertook a rigorous six-month rehabilitation programme, including physiotherapy, a meat-based diet, and dedicated care. Slowly, Otto regained his strength. By December, the now-thriving pup was put up for adoption.
Among those who saw Otto’s profile was a Mumbai-based entrepreneur, Shirley Mehta (name changed). “It was love at first sight,” Mehta said. Initially, she funded Otto’s care, but when he became available for adoption, she couldn’t let him go.
Renamed Otis, he moved to Mumbai, where he quickly became part of Mehta’s family, bonding deeply with their other retriever, Chloe, and her young son and mother-in-law.
Four months later, when the family decided to relocate to Dubai, Mehta faced a dilemma many pet owners encounter: the logistics of moving pets internationally. “Most people abandon their pets or put them up for re-adoption,” said Singh.
But for Mehta, this was never an option. Concerned about the stress and discomfort of flying Otis as cargo, she made an extraordinary choice: chartering a private jet. “The noise and long hours in a crate were unthinkable for Otis, especially given his condition,” Mehta explained.
Otis and Chloe travelled alongside their family in the cabin, arriving in Dubai in just three and a half hours.
Now nearing his second birthday, Otis continues to receive hydrotherapy and physiotherapy to manage his HD, with plans for surgery when the time is right. The Mehtas are also searching for a larger home with a garden and pool to ensure their pets have the best quality of life.
“Otis has endured so much pain and hardship, and he deserves nothing less than love and luxury,” Mehta said. “To us, they are not just pets — they are family.”
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